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PA 696 begins at an intersection with PA 997 a short distance to the east of I-81 in Greene Township, Franklin County, heading north on two-lane undivided Olde Scotland Road. A short distance later, the route comes to a pair of ramps providing access to and from the northbound lanes of I-81. The road continues immediately to the east of I-81 as it heads into agricultural areas, turning northeast away from the interstate. PA 696 runs through more open farmland with a few homes, crossing into Southampton Township. In this area, the road turns north again and comes to a full interchange with I-81. Past this interchange, the route turns northeast again and runs through more rural areas with some residential and commercial development, running a short distance to the east of a Norfolk Southern railroad line.[1][2]

PA 696 crosses into Shippensburg Township in Cumberland County and curves east, making a turn north onto South Fayette Street. The route briefly becomes the border between Shippensburg Township to the west and Shippensburg to the east before fully entering Shippensburg Township again, crossing under the Norfolk Southern line and crossing Middle Spring Creek and heading back into Southampton Township, Franklin County. The road runs through commercial areas, heading into Shippensburg before crossing back into Cumberland County and passing under another Norfolk Southern railroad line. PA 696 passes a few homes before entering the commercial downtown of Shippensburg, turning east to form a concurrency with US 11/PA 533 on West King Street. PA 696 splits from US 11/PA 533 by turning north onto North Earl Street and heading past homes. The route heads back into Shippensburg Township and passes between residential areas to the west and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania to the east, briefly gaining a center left-turn lane before near the York Drive intersection before becoming a two-lane road again. The road turns northwest and heads into Southampton Township, becoming Newburg Road as it enters agricultural areas with some woods and housing developments, curving north again. PA 696 enters more rural areas as it heads farther north, crossing into Hopewell Township. In this area, the route becomes Shippensburg Road as it passes through more farmland with some woods and homes. The road crosses the Conodoguinet Creek and curves northwest, heading into Newburg and becoming South Water Street, passing homes. PA 696 curves north and turns west to follow PA 641 for a block on West Main Street. The route splits from PA 997 by turning northwest onto North Mountain Street. The road heads back into Hopewell Township and becomes Turnpike Road, passing through agricultural areas with a few homes. PA 696 continues northwest to its northern terminus at another intersection with PA 997.[1][3]